Dental Crowns

Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. A filling fills a part of the tooth whereas a crown covers the whole tooth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” preserve the functionality of damaged teeth.

Crowns may be used to protect a weak tooth, to restore an already broken tooth, to cover and support a tooth with a large filling, to hold a dental bridge in place and/or to improve its appearance.

Before a crown can be made, the tooth must be reduced in size so that the crown will fit over it properly. After tooth shape down, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown. If porcelain is to be used, your dentist will determine the correct shade for the crown to match the color of your existing teeth.

Using this impression, a dental lab then makes your crown, in the material your dentist specifies. A temporary crown will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown is removed, and the new crown is cemented over your prepared tooth.